Higa, D., Hoppe, M. J., Lindhorst, T., Mincer, S., Beadnell, B., Morrison, D. M., & ... Mountz, S. (2014). Negative and Positive Factors Associated With the Well-Being of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Youth. Youth & Society, 46(5), 663-687. Web. Retrieve Nov. 11 2015
http://web.a.ebscohost.com.uri.idm.oclc.org/ehost/detail/detail?sid=f3714414-4295-4b89-9150-74ee9c40c59e%40sessionmgr4001&vid=0&hid=4206&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#AN=97190850&db=eft
The article describes having sexual minority youth, students can experience difficulties in multiple contexts. In families, for example, some LGBTQ youth have described their relationships with parents as distant or strained due to their sexual orientation. The article focused on a study, conducted by the University of Washington. The institution recruited students from ages, 14-19 who identify themselves as LGBTQ. There were nine focus groups involved, and the study was conducted in midsize cities outside of the LGBT community programs in Seattle. These group of students did not have the same resources unlike in bigger cities. The results show that there were some teens that felt the need to hide their identity from their family in fear of rejection and isolation.

Taking a look at the article, I found it compelling that these results are similar to what I know about the mentality of an LGBTQ person. From what I know from my cousin who conisders herself as LGBTQ. When talking to her about her insecurities, it clear to understand what she gone through before coming out to her parents. She was overwhelm with the idea of fearing isolation from her loved ones, even going on a diet through all the bent up stress. This article provided a study conducted by the University of Washington.The conductors provided a good outlet of asking for participation in their studies.

Urquhart, V. V. “My Big Hope Is That This Will Help Catholic Families to Be Better at Loving LGBT People.” Sept. 23 2015.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2015/09/23/ron_belgau_the_gay_celibate_catholic_presenting_at_a_vatican_sanctioned.html
Urquhart article gives her opinion about how Catholic families view the LGBTQ community. The primary focus that Urquhart mentions about is to Ron Belgau, a gay 40 year old gay Catholic man. The World Meeting of Families is a meeting estabilshed by Pope John Paul the second, for family discussions. We are able to see that in Belgau's case, he is a devoted christian who promotes his Catholic religion.and he wants to prove during the World Meeting that there are things that a person can do to achieve an meaningful life. Belgau provides examples from his relationship with his father, they mended their relationship and his father was able to support his decision. Belgau wants the skewed depiction of the LGBTQ community to be shown in light rather than disgust.

My reaction towards the article is that the LGBTQ community has come so far let the voices be heard. By having Ron Belgau as the speaker for the World Meeting is a huge step for them. The relationship between Belgau and his father can give people the idea that acceptance of one's sexual orientation can be great. In Belgau case, he admires his father and to make up with him is a huge step of confronting the situation. Confronting the situation is better than avoiding and staying the same.

AntÓnio, Raquel & Moleiro, Carla (2015). SOCIAL AND PARENTAL SUPPORT AS MODERATORS OF THE EFFECTS OF HOMOPHOBIC BULLYING ON PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS IN YOUTH. Psychology In The Schools, 52(8), 729-742. Web. Retrieved Nov. 11 2015
http://eric.ed.gov/?q=Lgbt+Academics&id=ED535178
The study of homophobic bullying was conducted in Portugal. The results showed that psychological violence prevailed, male students (direct, physical bullying) were more often victims than female students (sexual jokes, spreading rumors) were. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescents targeted the most regarding their sexual preference. The article describes the emotional impact homophobic bullying on victims. was higher when social support was low, including suicidal intentions and school difficulties.There are statistical numbers that indicate Schools nationwide are hostile environments for for the LGBTQ students who are attending, There are a vast majority of students who hear homophobic remarks and experience harassment or assault at school because of their sexual orientation.

Taking a closee lok about the different points that the study shows, it gives great details and graphs that show the percentage of some negative factors towards LGBTQ students. The study was able to provide some of the effects that LGBTQ students who are bullied for their sexual orientation. I found it very disgusting that students would discriminate other students because of being LGBTQ. These discrimination can cause many side effects for LGBTQ students, resulting in the neglecting of their academic achievement and causing psychological damages.

Ryan, C. Helping Families Support Their Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Children. The Child, Adolescent and Family Branch, Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Web, Retrieved Nov. 11 2015
https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/systemwide/diverse-populations/lgbtq/lgbt-families/

Ryan’s article addresses the difficulties for the LGBTQ community, indicating that there were limited resources for LGBT youth. Gay and transgender adolescents had few sources of information to learn about their identity or to find support. More recently, the Internet, school diversity clubs, and LGBT youth groups have helped gay and transgender youth find accurate information, guidance, and support. The article addresses homosexuality and bisexuality are part of normal sexual identity. Stating that there is no clear indications about why some people are gay or bisexual and others are heterosexual. There is no outside source that can "make" a person gay. In the adolescent stage of a child's life, they likely to be open about their gay or transgender identity when they are not afraid of rejection, ridicule, or negative reactions from family and friends. The article points towards LGBTQ teens who are rejected by their parents and caregivers, can create high risk and mental problems that can affect them transitioning into adulthood.They have poorer health than LGBT young people who are not rejected by their families. They become paranoid and can fall into a deep depression that can lead to suicide.

Reading this article, the main picture that struck me, was trying to help the LGBTQ community through the different resources that are provided. The article gives the clear indication that without the necessary help, young LGBT teens will develop problems that carry towards their adult life. I believe that the increases of resources and programs provided to young teens, can provide the help to help the cope with coming out. Even towards to older adults, they are able to understand that their children coming out is not to be ashamed about, it is about supporting your child no matter the situation

Moakley, Paul. “Out in the ‘Hood: Young, Gay and Hoping for Something Better.” Jul. 18, 2013. Times Inc. Retrieved Nov. 10, 2015. Web.
http://time.com/3800958/out-in-the-hood-young-gay-and-hoping-for-something-better/
The article from Times, focuses on Preston Gannaway's documentation of Tavaris "Teddy Ebony" Edwards ongoing life as a gay person. The article gives some excerpts from the documentary questions on Edwards personal experience coming out as the first person in his family. He had no father figure in his life, only his mother who accepted his coming out as a gay individual. When his was 16 years old, Edwards dropped out of high school because of the harassment from his former "friends." In the excerpts, Edwards accepts his lifestyle and plans for the future ahead. He is currently attending Norfolk State University and Tidewater Community College. The big change of his lifestyle and not feeling insecure, was his mother who had full support of him.

As I was reading the article, learning about Edwards was an interesting sight of overcoming obstacles to better his life. I feel that his mother was the biggest motivator of his choice of sexual preference. These stories about teens overcoming their feelings, makes me see parents as the number one influential people in a child's life.